With the big Chinese New Year shutdown just around the corner, thoughts are turning to stocking up on a few essentials, in case your favourite retailer shuts up shop. Good to know, therefore, that more than a handful of international restaurants will not be closing their doors for the entire holiday.
Note that this list is far from exhaustive, and that there are additional places which shall only be closed from 4 to 6 February. During its research, The Nanjinger discovered more places are planning to stay open during Chinese New Year than ever before, just another indication of of the impact of encroaching commercialism on traditional Chinese culture.
Starting in Jiangning with Red Room in 1912 by Baijia Lake, the new year will be celebrated in style on 5 February, with a special guest DJ, drinks offers and a big party atmosphere. You are encouraged to dress up, tune in, and get down to the best old-skool music on offer in Nanjing.
Elsewhere in the lakeside 1912, Luga’s will be open as usual, serving up their exemplary Mexican fare. A stone’s throw away, it is also business as usual at Element Fresh. However, their Xinjiekou location in IST Mall shall be closed.
Element Fresh’s neighbour in Xinjiekou, Wagas, however, shall be remaining open throughout the holiday. The increasingly popular purveyor of Western and Asian modern fare also now has three more branches in Nanjing; in Wonder City, by Fengtai Nan Lu, Golden Eagle World, off Yingtian Da Jie in Hexi and in Golden Eagle International, back in Xijiekou.
Not far away, over in IST 2, Between 4 and 6 February, Oasis will be open from 8pm until 1am. Food shall be limited to snacks.
On the other side of Zhongshan Lu, the ever-popular Tairyo Teppanyaki will be open as usual; its all-you-can-eat-and-drink deal is sure to be a holiday hit, and with four other branches throughout the city, there is likely one near you!
Homage to the suds, Rodenbach, together with all its beer memorabilia, shall stay open during Chinese New Year on Hongwu Bei Lu, while over at Zifeng Tower, Brownstone is also not planning on closing its doors.
For lovers of Indian cuisine, it will still be possible to get that spicy fix, as Masala Kitchen tells us they will be remaining open throughout the holiday.
If its Korean BBQ that you can’t get enough of (and we hear you), Nanjing’s premier such experience, Yisongting Korean in the basement of Golden Wheel, will also no doubt be a firm holiday favourite.
Finally, for the vegetarians, there is nothing to fear. Both Wujie Vegetarian in Deji Plaza and Jimingsi Vegetarian Restaurant between between the City Wall and Jiming Temple shall not be closing their doors at any point.
